Sewing-machine attachment.



C. A. HANSEN. SEWING MACHINE ATTACHMENT.

'APPLICATION FILED OCT. 5. 1911.

Patented Oct. 19, 1915.

3 SHEETSSHEET I.

WITNESSES 7mm vdww; ATTORNEYS C.A.HANSEN.

SEWING MACHINE ATTACHMENT. APPLICATION FILED OCT-5. 1911.

11111. WITNESSES 16 l/VI/E/VTOR CH/lf/L 5 17. m/vsm %-m zwmw A m a @M. 176m j ATTORNEYS c A. HANSEN. SEWINGMACHINE ATTACHMENT.

APRLICATION HLED OCT- 5. 1911.

1,157,384, Patented Oct. 19, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- W 5i 3 MTOR/VEYS WITNESSES CHARLES A. HANSEN, 0F ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGN'OR TO ALFRED H. BAMBERGER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SEWING-MACHINE ATTACHMENT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 19, 1915.

Application filed October 5, 1911. Serial No. 652,956.

fabric or fabrics whereby in' cooperation I with a sewing machine or parts thereof a fabric connection is produced of thegeneral type disclosed in my copending application,

Serial'Number 631,899, filed June 8, 1911.

Other objects of my invention will appear in the following description of certain embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which.

Figure 1 shows in plan view the clothplate of a sewing machine and one form of the attachment of my invention secured thereto. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the cloth plate of Fig. 1 showing the needle and the presser foot of the machine as. well as my attachment in side elevation. F 1g. 3 is an end view of my device looking 1n the direction of the arrow at the right of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a section of my device on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 isa section of my device on the line 55 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of my device showlng one of the folders thereof in side elevation. Fig. 7 is a side elevation of a modified form of my invention in which the attachment includes an additional folder and a cloth-plate of slightly altered form. Fig. 8 is an end view of the device shown in Fig. 7, with gages mounted on two of the folders. Fig. 9 is a detail view of one of the gages. Fig. 10 isa sectional view of a fabric connection produced by the device of my invention, showingthe lower surfaces of the fabrics. Figs. 11 and 12 are sectional views of other fabric connections produced by the device of my invention. 13 is a view of a sheet metal blank from which the folder may be made. Fig. 14 is a side view of the blank after the first fold has been produced, and Fig. 15 is a side view ofthe blank after the first and second folds have been produced.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, the reference character 1 indicates the cloth plate of a sewing machineof .any suitable type, said plate being a support for the device of my invention. For producing a fabric connection in which the edge portions of the connected fabrics are substantially parallel to and spaced from each other and are secured together by a loose stitching piercing said edge portions, I may use the Wilcox & Gibbs automatic sewingmachine adapted to make loose stitches of even length. I do not wish to be limited,

' however, to this particular machine, but desire it to be understood that my invention contemplates the use of any machine suitable for use in conjunction with my attachment.

The characters 2 and 3 indicate the needle and the presser foot respectively of the sewing machine. Adjustably secured to the cloth plate 1 and in position to discharge the fabric edge portions, properly folded, into position to be pierced by the needle is the attachment of my invention, said attachment comprising two folders 4 and 4' soldered or otherwise suitably secured to a base plate 5, which in turnis secured to a bracket 6, adj ustably held on the cloth plate by the engagement with the walls of an elongated slot therein of a set screw 7, in any well known manner. The base plate 5 is substantially triangular in shape and is set with one edge abutting the top of the cloth plate, the pointed end being near the needle.

Secured along the converging edges of this plate are the folders 4 and 4, the receiving ends thereof being spaced apart to a greater extent than the discharge ends thereof and said discharge ends being close together and near the machine needle so that the folded fabric discharging from one folder will be above and in near relation to that discharging from the other folder and the folds will be pierced by the needle before their relative positions are disturbed. The ordinary sewing machine presser foot may be used. It will be readily understood, however, that the ordinary presser foot may if desired, be suitably altered in form to allow sufficient scope of adjustment of the bracket 6 so that the fabrics discharging from the folders may-be in proper position to be pierced by the needle.

Each of the above described folders is similar in conformation to its associated folder except that the convolutions and surfaces of the one extend in directions opposite to those of the other. One may be said to be a right-handed folder while the other is left-handed. A description of the one, as will be readily understood, is applicable also tothe other. Each folder is preferably formed from a sheet-metal plate by bending. The plate which is shown in unbent form in Fig. 13 is first bent in the region of the line 8, (Fig. 13) to form at the receiving end two guide walls for the reception of the fabric to be operatedupon, these walls being extended near said end to form wings 9. The plate after the first bendingis shown by Fig. l4. The walls are substantially parallel and near the base plate 5 they are bent or bulged outwardly to form an exterior convex surface, the radius of curvature of which is gradually reduced in the direction of the discharge end of the folder by the bending of the portion 8 of the folder substantially into the'form of a spiral of gradually decreasing diameter. This last mentioned bending is performed substantially along the line 8 (Fig. 14)" and results in the spirally conformed portion of the folder, which is-clearly shown in Fig. 15. The inner wall of the two guide walls is cut away so as to present an edge 10, (Figs. 3, 5 and 6), this edge extending longitudinally towardthe discharge end of the folder and cutting across the region 8 near the line 44 of Fig. 2,. which region now continues its path toward said discharge .end in the form of an edge 10. The base plate 5 may be curved, as will clearly be understood, to conform to the variation .in diameter of the spiral portion, formed in the manner described. The region 8 at the receiving end of the folder is in contact with the base plate 5, at the line 55 of Fig. 2,.as will be seen by an inspection of Fig. 5, it is at a distance from said plate, while at the line 44 of Fig. 2, it has merged into the edge 10', shown in Fig. 4. The spiral conformation of the portions described serve partially to turn over upon the face of the fabric the fabric edge-portion which is fed between the guide walls near the region 8 thereof. The outer guide wall is not cut away as was the inner wall, but is provided with an extension 11 near the discharge end of the folder, which is folded over, externally of and overlapping the spirally-conformed portion previously described, substantially into the form of a spiral of gradually decreasing radius, the direction of the lastmentioned spiral being opposite to that of the first-mentioned spiral and both spirals being substantially coaxial. The end of the spiral, formed by the bending of the extension 11, nearest to the feed end of the folder is marked by the substantially spiral guide edge 12 of said extension, which edge as it approaches the discharge end of the folder gradually merges into the longitudinal edge 12'. The folding over of the extension 11 of the device as shown in Fig. 15 results-in the spirally conformed portion shown clearly in Flg. 6. As the fabric is fed from the feed end toward the discharge end of the folder while the extreme edge port on thereof is being turned over by the portion 8, as previously set forth, to form the'fold forming a fold 15. Upon discharging from the device therefore the fabric has threev superposed folds, the first due to the convolution of the portion 8, the second due to the engagement of the spiral edge 12 with the fabric, and the third due to thespiral convolution of the extension 11, so as to turn the second fold over and upon the first fold. Two of these folds, as will be seen, face in one direction while the third faces in the opposite direction. Since the device illustrated comprises-two folders, one being oppositely convoluted with respect to the other, when a fabric is fed into each folder, said fabrics are folded over in the'manner described and are discharged with the folded edge portion of one above the oppositely folded edge portion of the other. Thus positioned, they are pierced by the needle 'and secured together as they move along, by aloose stitching.

As they leave the machine the fabrics are in superposed relation, their edge portions being loosely folded. They are then relatively rotated about their secured edge portions into a common plane and are pulled apart. The folds are thus tightened or moved into close relationship by the drawing action of the connecting thread and the fabrics are joined together and relatively positioned as shown in Fig. 10. The upper surfaces of the fabrics, when thus operated upon, present no folds or any stitching except theseries of double threads 16 extendmg across the space between the fabric edges. The lower surfaces (Fig. 10) present two substantially parallel, separated, folded edge portions, extending longitudinally along one of which are portions 17 of the thread, forming a broken line, while similarly extending along the other are a series of loops 18 linked together. Thedouble threads 16 are also visible through the space between the fabric edge portions. This particular stitching is formed by the operation of a particular type of sewing machine. It is to be understood however, that I do not wish to limit my invention to any particular kind of machine, and hence to any parmy invention may be oppositely disposed in i substantially the same plane, their discharge ends suitably separated to guide the fabric folds into the path of operation of the needle of a machine for making the well known fagot stitch; in this case the fabrics are folded as previously described and secured in separated relation by a fagot stitch.

In the modified form of my inventionshown in Figs. 7 and 8, my attachment comprises folders 4 and 4' in all respects similar to the folders already described and shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, but includes an additional folder 4 and an altered cloth plate 1. The folder 4" is preferably formed, similarly to the folders 4 and 4, from a sheetmetal plate by bending. The plate is first bent in the region 8 to a U-shaped conformation. Its base portion is then bent to a position at an angle to the main body portion thereof. This angle may be widely varied. As shown in Figs. 7 and 8 the base portion of the folder 4 is bent at an angle of about 120 to the body portion. From the receiving end to the discharge end the bent portion grows gradually smaller. The folder 4" is soldered or otherwise secured at its base to a base plate 5- along the longitudinal axis thereof with the body por. tion of the folder extending at .substantially right angles to the base plate. On each side of the folder 4" the converging folders 4 and 4. are similarly secured. The base plate 5 is triangular in shape, like the previously described base plate 5, and is held by a bracket 6, similar to the bracket 6, which is secured to the cloth plate 1 by a set screw 7 in the same manner as the bracket 6 is secured to the cloth plate 1. The base plate 5 may be curved like the plate 5 but preferabl it is flat as shown. It is secured to the b cket 6 so that a portion of it extends below the plane of the cloth plate when positioned thereon. The cloth plate is therefore slotted as shown at 1, Fig. 8

inwardly from the forward edge 1 of said plate and a portion 1" thereof is bent downwardly, or the plate is otherwise formed, so as to permit of the proper positioning of the folders. The slot in the plate is cut in any obvious manner so as to allow of the necessary adjustment of the folders on the plate. When positioned as described one of the folders is below the plane of the cloth plate and feeds upwardly toward said plane while another is above and feeds downwardly toward said plane. The feeding mechanism of the machine thus overcomes an even resistance in feeding the fabric guided by each folder and thus the feeding of the fabrics is even and regular.

In Fig. 9 I have shown a clip or gage 19 which is adapted to be used in connection with the folders to limit laterally the amount of fabric fedinto the folders. It consists of a substantially W-shaped ribbon the exterior arms of which are resilient. When placed in position in the folder the central portion is positioned between and the exterior arms on the outside of the two guide walls of the folder, at the receiving end thereof. When placed substantially in the position shown on the folder 4 of Fig. 8, the fabric may be inserted between the guide walls of the folder at the left of the gage and in feeding it is guided between said walls. As it is fed through the folder the fabric is acted. upon by portions 11, '12 and 12 only, the portions 8 and 10 being rendered inactive by means of the gage. A single fold is thus produced in the fabric as shown by Fig. 11. When the gage is positioned nearer the base of the folder, substantially in the position shown on the folder 4 in Fig. 8, the fabric is acted upon by the portions 10, 11, 12 and 12', the portion 8 being inactive, and a double fold as shown by Fig. 12 is produced. It is obvious that the gage 19 may be used in either of the two positions referred to on either of the folders 4 and 4 or two gages may be used, one in either of the positions on one folder and the other in either of, its positions on the other folder. The gages may obviously also be used either on the attachment shown by Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive or onthe attachment shown by Figs. 7 and 8.

When'it is desired to join two fabrics to- I gether, one of which is provided with a selvaged edge or is otherwise reinforced along its edge, the middle folder 4 is utilized. The fabric is fed into the folder with its selvaged edge in proximity to the part 8 and is discharged in a fiat unfolded state. The bent base portion of the folder serves o grip the fabric by folding it at an angle while it is being fed and thus holds itsedge in position along the region 8'. The angular bend has the function of holding the fabric laterally in position, a function which it has been found practically impossible for the operator to perform in feeding the fabric. without a folder.

With the use of the device of my invention it is apparent that a variety of fabric connections may be produced. The connection shown in Fig. 10 may be produced by using the folder 4 and 4' without any gage. A single fold connection, as shown in Fig. 11, may be produced by using these folders each provided with a gage in the position shown on the folder 4 in Fig. 8. A double fold connection, as shown in Fig. 12, may be produced by using these folders each provided with a gage in the position shown on the folder 4 in Fig. 8. By varying the positions of the gages or by using either folder without a gage and the other folder with the gage in either position, obviously, various forms of fabric connections may be had. By the use of either of the folders 4 and 4' without a gage, and the folder 4", a connection in which one fabric has the triple fold shown in Fig. 10 and the other fabric has no fold at all may be produced. Furthermore, by the use of the folder 4" and the folders 4 or 4 provided with gages in either position, a variety of other forms of fabric connections may be made. The use of the folders to produce any of the possible kinds of connection is, of course, governed by the particular effect desired to be produced by the product and also by the character of the material operated upon. With a fabric provided with a strong, selvaged edge the folder 4 would probably be employed. With weakly selvaged fabrics or fabrics having no selvage, the folders 4 and 4 would probably be used with or without gages depending upon whether it was necessary or desired to produce single, double or triple folds along; the edges of the fabrics to be joined.

My improved attachment is suitable for use in any art in which it is desired to sew fabrics together with their edges separated. It is therefore useful in the manufacture of umbrellas or parasols, especially such as have a border portion secured to the main central portion but slightly spaced therefrom. Heretofore it was necessary in the manufacture of such parasols 'to fold over and stitch a hem on each piece of fabric and thereafter to stitch the two hemmed edges together by a loose stitch. It will be seen that my device accomplishes the same result in one operation, necessitating the use of only one machine and one continuous thread, as was formerly accomplished by three separate operations requiring at least two kinds of machines, and approximately three times as much thread. The time consumed in making the fabric connection by the use of my device is also, as will be apparent, very considerably less than that needed formerly for connecting fabrics together in spaced rela-' tion. My connection is furthermore, stronger and heater in appearance than former simi-' lar connections. I cla1m;

' v 1. A sewing machine attachment compris ing a folder having a spirally-conformed portion formed by two substantially parallel guide walls and another spirally-conformed portion substantially coaxial with and extending oppositely to the first mentioned portion.

2. A sewing machine attachment comprising .a folder having a spirally conformed portion formed by two substantially parallel guide walls and another spirally conformed portion substantially coaxial with and overlapping said first mentioned portion.

3. A sewing machine attachment compris witnesses.

portion comprising a single guide wall of spiral conformation substantially coaxial with the first mentioned portion, and extending spirally in a direction opposite to tha of the first mentioned spiral.

4. A sewing machine attachment comprising a folder having a double-walled portion ofthe form of a spiral of gradually decreasing diameter, and a single-walled portion overlapping the first mentioned portion near the end of said first mentioned portion of least diameter and extending to said end, said last mentioned portion having a guide edge in the form of a spiral substantially coaxial with and oppositely disposed with respect to said first mentioned spiral.

5. A sewing machine attachment comprising two folders each having a spirally conformed portion formed by two substantially parallel guide walls and another spirally conformed portion overlapping and extending oppositely to the first mentioned portion, said folders being spaced from each other and the spirally conformed portions of each being reversely curved with respect to the corresponding spirally conformed portions of the other.

6. A sewing machine attachment comprising a base plate and a plurality of folders secured thereto in converging relation, each of said folders having a spirally-conformed portion formed by two substantially parallel overlapping and extending oppositely to the first .mentioned portion, and another of which is provided with a base portion extending at an angle to the. main body portion thereof. 1

8. A sewing machine attachment comprising a folder having two parallel guide walls and a gage adjustably secured to the guide walls and at the receiving end thereof by frictional engagement with the said guide walls.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing CHARLES A. HANSEN. Witnesses:

JOHN A. FERGUSON,

RAN F. KIRKPATRICK. 

